Safety-overcheck



' (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. J. AYERS. SAFETY OVERGHEOK.

Patented Jan: 14,1890.

ammewfoz 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

F. J. AYERS. SAFETY OVEROHEGK.

Patented Jan. 14, 1890.

N, PETERS, Fhnlo-lilhognyhcn Washington, 0A;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. AYERS, BURLINGTON, WISCONSIN.

SAFETY-OVERCH EC K. I

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 419,400, dated January 14, 1890.

Application filed April 24, 1889.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK J. AYERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Burlington, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and .useful Improvements in Safety-Overchecks,

of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide a safety -overcheck by means of which restive or vicious horses or unbroken colts can be effectively and easily controlled. To this end I provide a check-bit which is wholly separate from the driving-bit, and which is connected to a check-line by straps passing over the horses head. The check-line, which is attached to the usual'checkhook on the harness-saddle, is formed in two parts or sections connected by a small metallic frame in which is journaled a pulley. A safety or check rein which is also attached at one end to the check-hook passes forward around said pulley and then rearward to the driver, so that when said rein is tightened the purchase afforded to the double safety-rein passing around the pulley and connected with the check-bit enables the driver to control the horse with case.

In the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a head-stall wit-l1 my improved overcheck applied thereto. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the use of my invention as applied to a horse, and Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the pulley-frame in the check-line.

- The head-stall A, which may be of any usual construction, is provided with a check bit a, which is wholly separate from the or dinary driving-bit b. To the check-bit are connected two straps c, which pass upward over the top of the animals head and are buckled to the forward ends of the bifurcated check-line d, the rear end of which is attached to the check-hook e on the harnesssaddle f. The check-line d maybe lengthened and shortened in the usual manner, and it is provided near its middle with a small metallic pulley-frame g, which forms a part of the check-line, the two parts of the latter being attached to the ends of said frame, which has openings, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, for the attachment of the parts of the Serial No. 308,489- (No model.)

check-line. A check or safety rein h is attached at one end to.the check-hook e and passes thence upward and forward around a small pulley i in the frame g, and thence rearward to the driver.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the check-line serves its normal purpose for ordinary use when it is of normal length, as shown in Fig. 3 but when the horse cannot be easily controlled by the driving-reins k the driver tightens the check or safety rein 7i, shortening the check-line cl, as shown in Fig. 4, and drawing up the animals head and enabling him to be easily controlled, owing to the independent check-bit and the purchase on the check or safety rein afforded by doubling the same around the pulley.

In using my improved overcheck the driver may hold the check .or. safety rein in one hand and the driving-reins in the other, if desired,and by the use thereof trotting-horses in races, restive. or vicious animals, and unbroken colts can be at all times instantly and easily controlled.

' Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A safety-overcheck comprising a bit which is separate from the driving-bit, straps running from said check-bit up over the animals head, a check-line attached to said straps and provided with a pulley, and a safety or check rein which is separate from said check-strap and which runs from the check-hook or harness-saddle forward and around said pulley and thence rearward to the driver, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a check-bit which is separate from the driving-bit, of the checkline formed in two parts, the pulley-frame connecting said parts and provided with a pulley, straps connecting said check-bit and check-line and adapted to pass over the animals head, and a check or safety line adapted to run from the harness-saddle forward around said pulley and thence rearward to the driver, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK J. AYERS.

Witnesses:

F. REUscHLEIN, A. T. RAN soM. 

